Drain Backups: How They Can Affect Your Home and Health

Experiencing a backed-up drain can be a frustrating problem, especially when a plunger or drain snake won’t help. This problem occurs when wastewater, which is supposed to drain away into the sewer line or septic system, reverses direction and flows back into your home. Not only can drain backups cause extensive damage to your property, but they also pose serious health risks due to exposure to raw sewage. It’s a good idea to seek help from a local plumber in Pittsburgh, PA when you encounter this problem to avoid further damage.

Understanding how drain backups can affect your home and health allows you to take preventative measures to avoid this issue. In this guide, Neighborhood Plumbing looks into some of the consequences of drain backups.

How Drain Backups Damage Your Home

Water damage is one of the immediate consequences of drain backups. The wastewater flowing in reverse direction can overflow from the kitchen sink, bathtub, toilet, or shower drain. Left unaddressed, the water can wreak havoc on your floors, walls, carpets, baseboards, and even furniture. You’ll incur significant expenses on water damage cleanup and repairs in the event of structural damage. This is why we recommend you stay ahead of drain backups by addressing slow drains or gurgling noises. Always have a trusted plumbing repair service on speed dial so that you can get the help you need fast.

Water damage is not just costly to clean up; it also creates a perfect environment for mold growth. Moisture trapped in porous materials such as drywall, wood, carpet, and insulation can lead to mold colonies in under 24 hours. Mold can weaken the structural components of your home, ruin the aesthetics, and become expensive to get rid of once it spreads.

Health Risks Associated with Drain Backups

Perhaps the most serious concern with drain backups is the threat they pose to your health. Wastewater contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illnesses such as gastrointestinal infections, skin rashes, and respiratory problems. Direct contact with contaminated water or exposure to airborne pathogens released during a backup can make occupants sick. Be careful not to touch or attempt to clean up contaminated water without proper protective gear, as this can increase your risk of infection. If you need help, call a service provider specializing in water damage cleanup.

Drain backups also produce foul odors caused by sewage gases and decomposing waste. Prolonged exposure to these odors can trigger headaches, nausea, and breathing discomfort, particularly for children, seniors, and individuals with asthma or allergies. This is why it’s best to seek help from a professional plumbing repair service as soon as you notice a drain backup in your home.

If mold develops as a result of a backup, it can further impact indoor air quality. Mold spores can aggravate allergies, worsen asthma symptoms, and lead to chronic respiratory issues if left untreated. This makes drain backups especially dangerous in homes with vulnerable occupants. We recommend you schedule regular drain cleaning to keep your drains in great shape and avoid issues associated with backups.

Do You Need Drain Cleaning Service? Contact Neighborhood Plumbing Today

If you have a drain backup in your home, contact Neighborhood Plumbing for professional assistance. A backed-up drain line can be incredibly stressful to deal with, so it’s better to seek help as quickly as possible. Our trusted plumbers take pride in offering reliable drain cleaning and routine drain line maintenance services. We’re equipped with state-of-the-art tools such as video inspection cameras, motorized augers, and hydro jetting machines. We promise to do an excellent job and keep your drains flowing smoothly. Contact us now to book an appointment.